About

DuinoReactor, 3-in-1 Programmer – A Skills Builder Project

The DuinoReactor is a 3-in-1 programmer. It is a USB to serial programmer, an Arduino ISP with an ICSP header, and an onboard programmer for ATtiny microprocessors. That is a bunch of features for one project.

DuinoReactor 3-in-1 Programmer, Shown with ATtiny Chips that Are Not Included.

What is in the DuinoReactor?

First, it has the classic
FT232R chip made by FTDI for USB to UART/Serial communication. The FT232
chip is an easy to use chip. FTDI provides free computer software
drivers to make the conversion of USB to serial connects simple. This
will allow you to program your bare bone Arduino or other project that
needs a serial to USB converter.

Second, the design includes an
Atmega328 chip to use as an Arduino ISP. The Atmega328 chip is used on
the Arduino Uno. The Arduino bootloader is designed for this chip, and
is easy to upload. The assembled board will come with the bootloader and
the Arduino ISP sketch preloaded. You can then use the ICSP header to
connect to an external project for in circuit programming.

Third,
the Arduino ISP can be used to load sketches to the ATtiny series of
products. We have included three DIP sockets for on board programming.
Each socket is compatible with one of three ATtiny series of products,
ATtiny84, ATtiny85, and ATtiny2313. You simply load the ATtiny chip for
programming, then remove to install into your circuit.

The
DuinoReactor can come fully assembled and tested for those who like the
project, but are not interested in soldering. It will make a nice
addition to your toolbox of equipment for programming microcontrollers
with an emphasis on Arduino compatible devices.

Project Background

The DuinoReactor started with a simple idea of why do I need an Arduino, a programmer shield, and a USB to serial converter just to do the simple task of programming a variety of different circuits? We thought that it would be nice to have both the USB converter and a dedicated programming chip to handle all the all of these jobs. This way if your Arduino is tied up on a project, you can still prototype another.

DuinoReactor Prototype 1

The first prototype DuinoReactor had a bug with the Arduino ISP. It could pass the USB to serial data, but I couldn't program the blank Atmega chip. I built a bare bones Arduino with a surface mounted TQFP Atmega chip to work out the details. To do this quickly, I had to custom etch a blank copper clad PCB. I figured out the problem and I was able to get the prototype working.

Bare Bone Arduino with 32-pin TQFP

All of this development was possible because of time I had spent learning both how to solder and fabricate PCBs. That process of learning is why I want to offer this project as a DIY. When I was learning, I searched for interesting projects I could build myself. There were not many to choose from and even fewer worth spending your money on getting.

Initial Setup of DuinoReactor Prototype Using BoostDuino to Program

Skills Builder Project

We wanted the project to be more than just a tool to use. That is why we are offering it as a DIY kit ready to be assembled. It is an advanced kit that will require previous electronic assembly skills. While there are some kits on the market, few are difficult enough to challenge people who have experience with soldering.

This project is designed to challenge your soldering and fabrication skills. Most other DIY kits are just for beginners, especially with SMD components. These projects are simple blinking LEDs or sirens. While they may be entertaining, they are not very useful.

This project builds on the skills needed for our first Kickstarter project, the BoostMini. That Kickstarter was a small 5V power supply that used two AA-batteries. The BoostMini circuit used the larger 1206 style passive components. See below for more info about the BoostMini.*

The DuinoReactor takes the DIY difficulty up to another level. We replaced all of the passive components with the smaller 0805 style. These are smaller, but still easy enough to handle and place on the circuit board.

The real challenge is soldering the two IC chips, ATmega328P and the FT232R. These have to 28 or 32 pins each with less than .020” spacing. That is tiny. It will be a real challenge for your soldering skills. It is also an opportunity to learn hot-air reflow soldering.

For the hobbyist like myself, hot-air reflow soldering means using a toaster oven or hot plate to flow the solder. This requires a soldering stencil and solder paste to apply the solder where it is needed. It may be easier than hand soldering, but requires a new set of skills, e.g. making soldering stencils.

If you plan to try hot-air reflow soldering, we recommend you shop at a thrift store for a used toaster oven. They are cheap and work fine for this type of project. You do not want to do this work in the toaster you use for food.

3. Hard Intermediate – All the parts, a pre-programmed ATmega328P, PDF file of the solder stencil, and sample of lead-free soldering paste. You have to make your own solder stencil using the PDF file, or hand solder the components.

4. Nothing is Too Hard for Me! – This includes the parts, and PDF file of the solder stencil (no solder). With this kit, you will have to make your own soldering stencil, and program the ATmega328P yourself using the ICSP header.

5. Cover Your Bets - You want the challenge, but it helps to have a working unit for comparison. This will include all the parts for the Nothing is Too Hard for Me! level and a fully assembled and working unit.

6. Ace in the Hole - This is the DIY kit with a stencil and a fully assembled unit.

The solder paste will be sent only to USA customers. Generally you are supposed to keep it refrigerated but a couple of days in the mail should be ok. International shipments can take a week or more to get through customs. This is beyond my control, so I am declining to ship the solder paste internationally.

What will it take to build?

Fabrication will be done with local or US suppliers as much as possible. The PCBs are all manufactured in the USA by a popular community circuit board aggregatator. I will get the parts from either Digikey, Mouser, or Newark. Then we will build the DIY kits first since those won't require any fabrication. The fabrication if the quantities is small will be done at the shop using the oven reflow process. Otherwise they will get sent out for assembly. The whole process should take between 1-2 months depending on how many orders we have to process.

Risks and challenges

The challenges will be the solder paste and the solder stencil. I’ve made all my own stencils so far, but there are services that sell solder stencils. These are expensive even for plastic. We will need to sell dozens of the DIY kits to buy the stencils. Anything less, then I will honor the reward by making the stencils myself out of aluminum. If that happens then the quality will be rough, but it will still work. You can also switch your reward to the assembled version if you prefer. (Any price difference will apply.)

Support

Select this reward

Pledge $22 or more
About $22

Nothing is Too Hard for Me! – This includes the parts, and PDF file of the solder stencil. With this kit, you will have to make your own soldering stencil, and program the ATmega328P yourself using the ICSP header.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $24 or more
About $24

Hard Intermediate – All the parts, a pre-programmed ATmega328P, PDF file of the solder stencil, and sample of lead-free soldering paste. You have to make your own solder stencil using the PDF file, or hand solder the components.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $50 or more
About $50

Cover Your Bets - You want the challenge, but it helps to have a working unit for comparison. This will include all the parts for the Nothing is Too Hard for Me! level and a fully assembled and working unit.